Tebow Off the Field

Not only is Tim Tebow the newest member of the New York Jets, but he is not conducting sermons in Texas. He drew a crowd of about 15,000 to an Easter church service on Sunday. Some think that it is not right to have a quarterback stepping in and being a religious role model as well. The New York Jets do not have the best reputation for having the best guys off of the field. Many Jets have been caught running their mouths and not behaving in a manner that many are proud of. Now Tebow comes into New York and not only does he not run his mouth like the rest of his new teammates, he is preaching to crowds of followers. I am picturing his sermon as more of a gathering or a concert for crazed fans, rather than an Easter service. It is one thing to be the creator of "Tebowing," but it is another thing to now be conducting services. Did Tebow go too far with this one? Yea, stay out of the headlines and play some football.

Saints Penalties Stand Strong

New Orleans Saints head coach, Sean Payton, will start his suspension on April 16. After announcing the penalties this past Monday, Payton was not the only one penalized. General Manager Mickey Loomis is suspended for eight games and assistant coach Joe Vitt is suspended for six games. It is unfortunate to Payton that this is the year that he will be suspended through Super Bowl XLVII because it is being held in New Orleans. In order for these men to be reinstated back into the NFL, they need to be on their best behavior during their suspension. They will not be allowed to engage in any form of coaching activities. The defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, has been suspended permanently and did not appeal. He was hired by the St. Louis Rams on January 23 as their defensive coordinator. What type of message does this send to the rest of the NFL. If one of the coaches or players faces some sort of penalty, they all should receive the same penalty. Personally I do not think that anyone involved should be permitted to play next season and maybe even ever again. Not only did they jeopardize other players well being, but they also took away from the game of football.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7792405/nfl-upholds-suspension-new-orleans-saints-sean-payton-mickey-loomis-joe-vitt

MLB Suspension

Was it an accident or did Cleveland Indians pitcher Ubaldo Jiminez purposely hit Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki during a spring training game? It is not uncommon for a pitcher to accidentally hit a player during a game. However, the skeptical part was his reaction after he hit Tulowitzki. Immediately after the player was hit, he ran towards the batter as if he wanted to start a fight with him. He has been suspended for five games and is being fined by the MLB. Jiminez insists that he did not mean to hit his former Rockies player, but was only trying to throw an inside pitch to Tulowitzki. It is not the first time someone was hit by a pitch, but after both benches emptied immediately it did not seem like it was an accident. The reason, according to Jiminez, that he went after Tulowitzki was because the batter was trash talking the pitcher. Still there is no excuse to behave that way in the middle of a game. The pitcher is expected to appeal to the MLB this week in hopes that he can lessen his punishment. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7767204/mlb-bans-cleveland-indians-ubaldo-jimenez-5-games-hitting-colorado-rockies-troy-tulowitzki

What's next for the New Orleans Saints?

How does a team bounce back after they were caught scamming the NFL? The appeal hearings are on Tuesday afternoon and the team may try to have Bill Parcells step in as the interim head coach. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is still debating on what type of punishments that the team should receive. Head Coach Sean Payton has received a year long suspension that could drastically affect his team for good. Before the appeal occurs, they need to make sure that the 22-27 players accused have enough evidence against them to support their case. The NFLPA told players that they could also face criminal charges outside of the NFL's punishments. Because of this, they have hired outside council to represent them. So far, the coaches who were affiliated with the bounty have been suspended for their alloted times. Along with the suspensions, the team has been fined $500,000 and have lost second round draft pick for 2012 and 2013. The punishment for these men are harsh because they denied these accusations for three years although it was clear that something was going on. Even after someone credible came up and confirmed the accusations, the Saints still denied it. In my opinion, the Saints as an organization should be suspended for a year to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7765242/roger-goodell-says-bill-parcells-new-orleans-saints-deal-their-decision

Is New Orleans crazy?

Who would have ever thought that a team could take part in something as ridiculous as the Saints have. Receiving money in return for injuring players during a game. Head Coach Sean Payton should be ashamed of himself, his team, and the coaches who knew that this was going on or in those who were involved. I don't think that he should be able to come back to coach for that team, nor do I think that any of the players who were involved at all should be allowed back in the game. It takes away from the sport. It first reminded me of how wrestling is fake. What if the NFL was fake and people were told who to tackle. It seems as if for the Saints, that's how it was. As an avid football fan, I do not know how anyone can watch the Saints play after what they have been apart of.

Tebow Time

Now that Peyton is off the Colts, the NFL is all messed up. Since the hype of whether or not Manning was going to stay on the Colts, the newest craze was where is he going to end up. Manning landed a spot as the Denver Broncos new quarterback. What about Tebow? He's out too. Right after the Jets signed Sanchez for three more years, they also picked up Tim Tebow for the quarterback position as well. This could be a very good idea for the Jets considering Sanchez has not been able to produce anything too impressive for the Jets. If NY can play Sanchez to throw the ball and then have Tebow come in after to help run the ball, they could have a solid plan right in front of them. The biggest question is going to be how can Denver and New York now handle their new adjustments.

Linsanity

Linsanity. This is a topic that would be impossible to not comment on. A guy who has been unnoticed, is all of a sudden a sensation. Not only has he taken over every word that starts with an "in," but he is capturing the attention of basketball fans and nonbasketball fans alike. With nicknames such as a "Linderella Story" and "Lincredible" it is no wonder why Linsanity has brought on so much hype and attention. Honestly, I say good for you Jeremy Lin. You came out of nowhere and now are becoming a household name that is easily recognizable by millions. With the strong contribution that Lin has been putting into each game, it is no wonder why Linsanity has taken over.

Peyton Update

Whether Peyton Manning should remain in the NFL and should still play for the Colts are the two major questions circulating right now. After being given the "OK" from two doctors, there is still no word on whether or not he is going to play. He has been throwing at the Duke training facility rather than at the Colts facility. This is raising a few eyebrows speculating that he may not be returning to Indy next year. Regardless if he stays or leaves, the real problem at the moment is not that, nor is it if his neck is stable enough to play. The real issue is becoming his arm, throwing arm. Apparently there is no fear for him hurting his neck, but rather if there is enough strength in his arm to throw the ball like he normally would. Without his million dollar arm Manning would not be the same. This fear is something that is also pushing back the decision making that needs to be reached in the beginning of March.

The Big Game

Go Giants! What a game that was! The players all looked on point before and during the game. During the warm-ups you could sense the air of determination that was taking over the stadium. Brady and Manning both took the fields to start the game that they both wanted so bad. With Patriots coming back to redeem themselves from the Super Bowl of four years ago, the Giants were there to prove to everyone that they beat them once and they could do it again. The final moment of the game felt like the longest minute ever. The entire bar slowly stood up in anticipation as Brady threw the Hail-Mary down the field heading right towards Gronkowski. And the pass was incomplete resulting in the Giants winning the Super Bowl! Aside from the football game, the halftime show stirred up quite a controversy with the middle finger slip up by M.I.A. People also were not too impressed with Madonna’s performance. With a performance somewhat outdated they could have done a better job incorporating a younger feel into it. I think Sunday was the best way to end this year’s football season. 

Plans for the Big Game

With all of the media hype leading up to the Super Bowl comes the mad dash trying to find the best plans. It seems as if the majority of people choose to go to their friends house to enjoy great food, a good game, and in some cases a lot of alcohol. The liquor and food stores were packed the day of the game with last minute purchases before the parties began. A large group of my friends and I went to The Draft House for the game. After spending the Giants Championship game at Draft House as well, we let our superstitions get the best of us. Many of us wore the same outfits and sat in the same places at the bar in hopes that the Giants would win once again. Although I am not a fan of the Giants, I was excited to be in the town of the team that was in the Super Bowl. Before we left for the bar, we had everyone over to our house for my famous nacho dip. This may be the best Super Bowl I've ever had.

What Has Media Day Turned Into?

Starting at Super Bowl I, there were 338 media credentials given out. Today there were more than 5,000 credentials given out. Why so much hype? The Super Bowl has gone from a football event that fans can enjoy, to a media frenzy for money hungry business men. The fact that regular people can buy a ticket for this is crazy. Media Day had once been an intimate interview between a reporter and an athlete. That unfortunately isn't the case anymore. Today people are so eager to find out everything they can about their favorite athletes, and reporters are not afraid to find everything out. Has newspaper scribes lost control of media day? How can any one single reporter be given enough time to get a personal story from someone? Well, they can't. There are entirely too many reporters storming each athlete that it cannot be possible to get any time with an athlete to yourself. According to the article, Kravitz: Welcome To Media Day, Super Bowl 2012 Fans, today the athletes have to be on their best behavior or the media will take every little thing that they do and turn it into a major scandle. Back in the day, Joe Namath was seen out drinking scotch and doing what he pleased; all the while still maintaining a good image. If that was to happen now, athletes would be punished and looked down upon. With that said, many are being warned to not be upset when nothing news worthy comes out of media day.

Giants on the Hunt for a Super Bowl Win

Now that the Giants are in Indy and ready for the Super Bowl, they are enjoying every minute of their successful season. Feeling giddy as they left New Jersey, they quickly changed back into men once they landed. It is obvious how pumped up the boys are about this upcoming game. Having the mentality that they are going to win is the what helped them get to the place that they are at right now. Even players that aren't able to play are still expressing their confidence for the game. After reading everything the players had to say shows just how dedicated and excited they are to be playing in the Super Bowl. After defeating the Patriots in the Super Bowl a few years ago, the Giants are even more ready to dominate once again. The team has been playing a great game and have clearly been working together to be on top. With a win in this game, Eli Manning will further prove that he is becoming one great quarterback; following in his father and brother's footsteps. The Giants confidence may have come off of their win against the Jets on Christmas Eve. Ever since that game, the team has been on a mission to dominate. We will see this Sunday if their hard work and confidence has paid off.http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7521572/2012-nfl-playoffs-antrel-rolle-says-new-york-giants-expecting-win-super-bowl

Peyton Manning's return to the Colts is questionable

With all of the recent buzz revolving around the superbowl, Peyton Manning has been the topic of much discussion as well. After firing eight members of the coaching staff, the Indianapolis Colts are having a hard time bouncing back after their terrible season. I guess it has become pretty apparent that the Colt's strong domination can be credited mostly to Peyton. With so many changes happening within the Colt's franchise, what will happen to his career? Due to his recent surgery, it is uncertain if Peyton will be able to return. This is causing quite the stir because of the $28 million roster bonus Manning is expected to receive by March 8th. With an uncertain season ahead of Manning, many are wondering whether or not he will return to Indy again this season.
If Manning wasn't to return, Stanford quarterback Andre Luck would take his place. Planning to draft Luck in the first round of the draft would either give the Colt's the perfect scenario or it could result in another uncertain season. In order to acheive the perfect scenario, Luck would shadow Manning and pick up any and all tips the veteran quarterback has to offer. Just like Aaron Rodgers did under Brett Farve, Luck would be given the best mentoring under Manning. However, that is only in a perfect world. Luck would much rather be drafted and start playing right away.
With Peyton in no rush to retire, it becomes a serious issue when there is talk of him playing for another team. There is no way that Colt's fans and Peyton fans will be able to watch the quarterback they love play anywhere else. Having been the Colt's quarterback for the past 13 years has brought the team great success. Now with so many changes it becomes scary that they could be starting at the bottom and working their way back up to the top. A lot of players do not feel that there is a good environment in Indy right now, and many are concerned of where the upcoming season may take them. With so many uncertainties, it does not help the matter that there have been so many changes taking place. Hopefully the Colt's franchise becomes aware of the major risk they run letting go if they let Manning go, and the impact this will have on football fans everywhere.http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2012/01/24/20120124heat-index-peyton-mannings-future-uncertain.html